The legendary and influential Willie Dixon was born on this day in 1915

He has influenced and continues to influence generations of Blues and Rock artists

The legendary and influential Willie Dixon was born on this day in 1915



Willie Dixon has influenced and continues to influence generations of Blues and Rock artists, he played a pivotal role on influencing some of the most relevant 1950’s and 1960’s Rock bands and artists, who covered his songs extensively; next to Muddy Waters, Dixon is recognized as the most influential person in shaping the post–World War II sound of the Chicago blues. The Blues icon was born William James Dixon on July 1, 1915 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, he released his debut album, “Willie’s Blues” in 1959. An important link between the Blues and Rock, Dixon’s legacy include timeless songs that over the time became not just Blues, but also Rock hits, such as his own compositions “The Seventh Son”, “Hoochie Coochie Man”, “I Just Want to Make Love to You”, “Little Red Rooster”, “You Shook Me”, “My Babe”, “Spoonful”, “I Can’t Quit You, Baby”, “You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover” and “You Need Love” that gave origin to Led Zeppelin’s hit “Whole Lotta Love”, and, led to a lawsuit against Led Zeppelin in 1985, settled out of court in favour of Dixon for an undisclosed amount. On subsequent releases, Dixon’s name is included on the credits for “Whole Lotta Love”. Among the artists and bands he influenced are Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Cream, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and Steppenwolf. Most of these artists and bands featured at least one of Dixon’s songs on their debut albums. Dixon died of heart failure on January 29, 1992, in Burbank, California aged 76, and during his lifetime and posthumously, he received a Grammy Award and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Dixon was born 109 years ago today.



Watch Willie Dixon performing live one of his most popular songs, “Back Door Man”

Listen to Willie Dixon’s “Poet of the Blues” on Spotify



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